10 things for [10 years ago.]

1.) It’s not proven yet, but high school is pretty much 100% guaranteed to be awkward. No matter what the current trends are, you will probably look like you don’t know what you are doing in terms of clothes. If you can, figure out how to not care what other people think about your wardrobe choices.
2.) Your period. It’s coming. It’s weird. It makes you an unjustified nightmare to anyone who crosses you, and also gives you the freedom to consume your body weight in dark chocolate. Just remember that you are laboring for your future children, and that somehow makes it all worth it.

3.) BUY. TWEEZERS. Sculpted eyebrows know no age, so you better get started. Your pictures in 10 years will thank you.

4.) Be nice to your parents. They didn’t pray for a daughter who acts like a little shit during her teenage years, and they have put up with enough by now. Pretty soon you’ll be off to college in a state far, far away, wishing you could hug your mom again. So smile when you see them, and don’t tell people they are “ruining my life” just because they won’t let you go to the movies on a school night.

5.) Apply for college scholarships. Student loans are not free money, and Sallie Mae is not a nice little red-haired girl from Iowa. They will find you, they will destroy you, they will empty your wallets.

6.) Do not date until you are married. Okay, maybe that’s a little extreme. Don’t date until you are absolutely ready to get dumped. I know that still sounds harsh, but hear me out: it is extremely painful to be vulnerable to someone in a way that lets them in on who you are. Love is emotional, and it should not be awakened before your time has come. The only person that can know that is you. And unfortunately, statistics would argue that whoever you “absolutely have to date right now” is probably not going to be the same person in a few years. And you won’t be the same. So wait until you know you are, before trying to get to know someone else.

7.) This is the only time your legs will ever look this good. Metabolism only slows down from here, girlfriend. I’m not promoting slut-like behavior or scandalous dress, but you should probably take advantage of cellulite-free thighs.

8.) Eat your mother’s home cooked meals very slowly, savoring every bite. Pretty soon you’ll have to pay for your own food and let’s be real: you cannot cook to save your life.

9.) Ask questions of every person you meet. You’ll learn more than you think.

10.) Don’t be afraid of the future. It’s going to be hard, it’s going to be chaotic, it’s going to be awesome. The best is yet to come; live like you love today.